Taking CBD is an excellent option for those with specific health needs. If you're struggling with anxiety, for example, CBD may aid in limiting symptoms associated with PTSD, according to a study published in 2015.
Because CBD is relatively new to the market, thanks to its legalization in 2018, there is still much we have to learn about its effectiveness. What scientists and researchers have found so far, however, is impressive.
CBD's legendary ability to fight pain, decrease inflammation and relieve depression are well known. But many of you, especially those taking prescription medications, wonder if CBD may interact with your prescribed medications.
This post will dive into CBD and how it interacts with certain medications. We'll also look at the grapefruit warning and how it may also play a role in counteracting the effects of your CBD regimen. Keep reading to learn more.
What Is CBD and Is It Safe?
CBD (Cannabidiol) is one of over 100 compounds in Cannabis Sativa. The most potent compounds in cannabis are CBD and THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol). One of CBD's most impressive features is that it won't make you high, unlike THC.
CBD is safe to use, and there's little concern about overdosing. According to The World Health Organization (WHO), the leading international health watchdog, CBD is considered safe and well tolerated. For most people, following the dosing guidelines will be the most you'll have to worry about when taking CBD.
Is CBD Legal?
Yes. Congress passed The Farm Bill Act in 2018, making CBD legal on a federal level. That means, as long as you're 18 in most states, you can safely buy CBD online. Because CBD is still in its infancy, and many states have fast-changing laws, you may not be able to buy it in a boutique shop or retail setting.
Can You Take CBD With Prescription Medication?
Harvard Health says CBD may interact with some medications, including prescription meds. If you're starting a CBD regimen, you might consider talking to your doctor first. Ultimately, they know your medical history the best and will be able to tell you if CBD is a good fit.
Underlying medical conditions that may interfere with CBD may include the following:
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Cancer
- Older adults on multiple medications
- Heart disease
- Weak immune system
How Are Medications and CBD Metabolized?
When you ingest CBD and other substances, like prescription meds, quickly the body breaks them down and metabolizes them through enzymes called cytochrome P450, or CYP450. CYP450 enzymes convert medications to help your body eliminate foreign substances and absorb the therapeutic qualities.
Cannabinoids are no exception to this rule, as they are also metabolized by CYP450 enzymes - specifically CYP3A4. As with all medications, CBD may increase or decrease the metabolization rate needed by the enzymes to do their job effectively. The meds can't assimilate as effectively in your body when this happens.
This is where "side effects" come from. Essentially, your body is not effectively breaking down the medication - whether it be over-the-counter, prescription, or herbal therapy. One effective way to determine if your medicine interferes with CBD is to ask your pharmacist about drug interactions.
CBD and Grapefruit Warning
Anyone on prescription meds has probably heard of "the grapefruit warning." Specifically, the grapefruit warning is an FDA-approved warning that deters you from ingesting grapefruit products with certain medications.
When you ingest grapefruit on certain medications, it can lead to elevated levels of that medication in your bloodstream. Even worse, you may overdose. There are currently more than 85 drugs that have grapefruit warnings on them.
You should avoid CBD if your medications have grapefruit warnings on them. Other citrus fruits that might interfere with your medications include tangelos, Seville oranges, and pomelos.
Some common drugs that have grapefruit warnings include the following:
- Antimicrobials
- Antibiotics
- Antihistamines
- Anxiety medications
- Chemotherapy drugs
- Corticosteroids
- GERD Medications
- Immunosuppressants
- Pain killers
- Prostate medications
- Statins
- Warfarin (blood thinners)
Can I take CBD with Antiepileptic Medications?
Antiepileptic drugs, or AEDs, have a grapefruit warning, so no, you don't want to take CBD if you're already on an antiepileptic regimen. Recently, however, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a CBD-based drug to relieve symptoms in patients with epilepsy.
Known as Epidiolex, this prescription-only medication is for patients suffering from Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome. These are both severe and rare forms of epilepsy. If you have seizures and are not on any prescription medication, consider talking to your doctor to see if CBD might be helpful.
List of Medications That May Interact with CBD
Besides prescription medications with grapefruit warnings, CBD may also interfere with other prescription meds, herbals, and over-the-counter products. According to Penn State College of Medicine, researchers identified 57 drugs they considered dangerous when combined with CBD or THC.
Keep in mind that some of the drugs studied were THC-based and may not be affected by interacting with CBD. The most serious interactions were narrowed down to four drugs, which included the following:
- Anti-seizures, including valproate, clobazam, and lamotrigine.
- Warfarin (blood thinning medication).
- Amiodarone (heart rhythm drug).
- Levothyroxine (thyroid med).
Can I Take CBD Oil with Ibuprofen?
Ibuprofen is one of the most consumed over-the-counter drugs on the market. Known as an NSAID or Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug, there is no solid evidence that CBD interacts with ibuprofen.
Conversely, we're not 100% sure if there are any adverse side effects between CBD and ibuprofen interaction. One study, published by the Journal of Neurology Research in 2020, showed a potential adverse link between NSAIDs and CBD.
What's the Best CBD to Take While on Medication?
CBD Capsules have become an easy and convenient way to take your CBD daily with exact dosing for safe consumption. Knowing your exact mg of CBD is important when taking other medications. This is why CBD capsules or soft gels have become more popular in the market.
Always be sure to buy from a reputable company to ensure your CBD products are legit. Eden's Herbals offers a Broad-Spectrum CBD Softgel product pre-dosed at 25mg per capsule! Some of the benefits you can expect from taking them are:
- Inflammation
- Chronic pain relief
- Natural sleep aid
- Easy and convenient to take
In Conclusion
If you're on certain medications, consider checking the label to see if there's a grapefruit warning, in which case you may consider other options. If you've got the green light and are ready to start your CBD regimen, there are a few things you'll want to first consider, such as:
Where Does My CBD Come From?
When purchasing CBD, you may want to know not all brands are created equal. Eden's Herbals, for example, sources all our hemp from organic, American farms. When you buy our CBD, you're not only helping our economy, but you're also guaranteed a product that's pesticide-free!
Is Your CBD Lab Tested?
A lab test, or certificate of analysis, is conducted to ensure two things:
- THC content is at or below the legal limit of 0.3%.
- Quality and purity of the batch.
Our CBD is lab tested by an independent third party, ensuring quality and legality. You can find our lab report by clicking here.
How Is My CBD Extracted?
We extract all of our CBD using a CO2 extraction process. While more expensive than traditional chemical extraction methods, CO2 extraction ensures your CBD is the purest money can buy.
If you want to learn more about CBD interacting with medications, contact Eden's Herbals at support@edensherbals.com today!
*These statements have not been evaluated or approved by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any illness. Medical advice should be taken from a medical professional.
All of the articles on this site are written by 3rd party content providers, expert bloggers, or doctors not directly affiliated with Eden's Herbals.
Individuals should learn the risks and side effects prior to taking CBD. Make sure to always check with a medical professional before starting any new CBD treatment or medication that is not FDA-approved.
